Grilled Watermelon with Chile and Lime

This grilled watermelon recipe is a standout! With a splash of tangy lime juice and a drizzle of spicy chile paste, it's always a hit at summer BBQs. Sweet, spicy, and incredibly refreshing, it's the perfect side dish for all sorts of grilled foods.

This was originally published in 2014. The recipe is the same, and the post has been updated with additional information and new images.

Add tangy lime and spicy chile to sweet, juicy watermelon and see what happens.

While most summer fruits don't need a thing, including watermelon, it can be exciting (and delicious!) to change things up a bit.

This grilled watermelon recipe is a perfect example, and it's hard to beat. I've been making it several times every summer for years. It's an incredibly refreshing combination that's hard to resist.

And it's so pretty!

Ingredient Notes

• watermelon - This recipe calls for 1 (6½ pound) mini watermelon. When I see yellow mini watermelons, I like to use them along with the red ones. You can use either or both. Mini seedless watermelons are the absolute best for grilling, and they're so incredibly juicy and sweet during the summer months. Choose a watermelon with a creamy yellow spot on the bottom—this is where it rested on the ground. The yellower the spot, the sweeter the watermelon is likely to be. (You can also use large seedless watermelons and double or triple the chile-lime marinade.)
• lime - Choose limes with a little bit of give when pressed gently with your thumb. This is a good indication that it's juicy. We use both the zest and juice in this recipe.
• chile paste - I use and love Sambal Oelek. Substitutions: Sriracha sauce, a sprinkle of crushed red pepper or cayenne pepper.
• avocado oil - Avocado oil is my favorite neutral oil to use and it's excellent for high-heat cooking, like the grill. Substitution: Vegetable oil.
• salt - Just a touch to bring out the other flavors.

How to Make Chile-Lime Grilled Watermelon

- Slice the watermelon in half, and then into quarters, lengthwise. Then slice each quarter into approximately ½ to 1-inch slices, and place them in a single layer on a sheet pan (or two if necessary).

Recipe Tip. Do not cut the rind off the melon because it helps keep the fruit intact while it develops beautiful grill marks.

- In a small bowl, combine the oil, chile paste, lime zest and juice, and a pinch of salt. Whisk to blend.

- Preheat a stove-top or outdoor grill with high heat.

- Drizzle about half of the chile-lime mixture over the watermelon slices and use a pastry brush (or your hands) to spread it evenly. Then flip them over and drizzle the rest. To be sure they're well coated, you might need to flip them a few times and move them around the sheet pan.

- Once the grill is very hot, add the watermelon slices, being sure there is at least an inch or so between them. (If you don't hear a sizzling sound when the fruit hits the grill, it's not hot enough. Wait for the sizzle!) Grill just long enough to mark the watermelon, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip them over, and only grill the other side for about 30 seconds. (We want the watermelon to keep its crunch.)

Recipe Tip. Be sure to grill the slices only long enough to mark them because we're not actually cooking the melon.

- Serve at room temperature or cold on a platter with lime wedges for garnish. (If you'd like to add fresh herbs to your platter, mint and/or basil would be tasty with the watermelon.)

Serving Suggestions

So many things! Burgers, grilled chicken, salads, cocktails, and more!

I love serving this watermelon recipe at casual barbecues, alongside my Coffee-Balsamic Grilled Flank Steak and Grilled Little Gem Salad. It's also fantastic with Spicy Sriracha Burgers.

FYI, fresh watermelon with the lime and chile is excellent even without grilling it. Different, but excellent.

Making it Ahead

The watermelon slices can be grilled and refrigerated up to two hours before serving.

More Must-Try Summer Watermelon Recipes

And Watermelon Pizza with Feta is also super fun!

I hope you love it as much as my family and I do!

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